Calculating machine



Dec. 6, 1938. R. L. MULLER CALCULATING MACHINE Original Filed June 1, 1 957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR R (Jive/"I L. Muller ATTORNEYS Dec. 6, 1938 R L, MULLER 2,139,131

CALCULATING MACHINE Original Filed June 1, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /IIIIIlllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIlIIIIIIIIlII/IA INVENTOR Q0681? L. M0 //er ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Robe/T L. Muller MK R L. MULLER CALCULATING MACHINE Original Filed June 1, 1957 G215 a Range 3.00

ET BILL 9.00?-

Dec. 6, 1938.

Due Gas NET; BI LL TORNEYS Patented Dec. 6, 1938 2,139,131 CALCULATING MACHINE Robert L. Muller, Detroit, Mich, assignor roughs Adding Machine Company,

to But- Detroit,

Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application June 1, 1937, Serial No. 145,718

enewcd 26 Claims.

This invention relates to an accounting machine and is directed more particularly to the paper handling equipment of such a machine.

In certain classes of accounting work, it is de sirable to print a running record or journal sheet which remains in the machine and contains all the entries that are made on separate sheets such as work sheets or ledger sheets which are inserted and removed from in frontof the platen. Machines equipped to handle paper in this manner are generally termed front-feed, machines.

The present invention is particularly applicable to this type of machine and it concerns an improvement for speeding up operation of the,

macl'iine by providing for automatic printing of the total at the bottom of the sheet regardless of the number of entries preceding the total and for automatic removal of the work sheets while the record sheet remains in the machine, that is, the operator need pay little attention to the handling of the paper and can direct most of his attention to making the entries.

The general object of this invention is to pro vide an improved paper accounting machines.

A further object is to provide an automatic paper spacing mechanism.

A more specific object is to provide an improved sheet ejecting meansfor ejecting work sheets from a front-feed type of machine.

Other and more particular objects are to provide a simply constructed mechanism of the character that will be automatic, that will stack the work sheets in proper order, that will perform many of its operations automatically so as to speed up operation of the machine, and that will handling equipment for be easy to operate, readily accessible and foolproof against misoperation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following specification and drawings.

An embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a right side elevation of a portion of a Burroughs machine having the present invention incorporated therein and illustrating the platen in printing position;

.Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail of 'the paper ejecting means and ing position;

Fig. 3 is a right side elevation of the rear portion of the machine illustrating the parts in open throat and paper ejectin positions;

Fig. 4 is a left side elevation of the rear portion of the machine showing the line spacing mechaillustrating the parts in print- May 28, 1938 nism for listing and totaling operations and with a. work sheet in printingposition and the part in position immediately after a first item entering operation which closes the throat and moves the platen to printing position;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 4 in position after three items have been entered and the total key depressed and positioned to cause the platen to be line spaced to print the total at the bottom 10 of the work sheet; and

Fig, 6 illustrates samples of work performed by the machine and shows both bill forms or work sheets together with a carbon copy record strip.

The invention is shown applied to a Bur- 15 roughs high keyboard type of bookkeeping or accounting machine that is well known so that a detailed description of it is not necessary. It will be understood that the invention can also be applied to other types of machines and that the 20 disclosure herein is by way of illustration.

General machine features trolled and operated to cause it to perform other 5 functions such as disclosed on the Burroughs machines now on the market and in many patents on said machines.

A printing mechanism provided, of whicha portion is shown at [4, said mechanism being 40 normally operated near the end of a forward stroke of the machine and serving to print the amount of the items entered or of the calculations performed.

In the illustrated machine, no provision is made for printing automatically in different columns of the paper inserted in the machine. Instead, the machine is provided with a non-traveling or stationary carriage having a platen P which may be line spaced after each printing operation by a line spacing mechanism of which a portion [8 is shown in Figure 1. This mechanism can be adjusted to line space the platen or it may be line spaced at the end of a particular operation. It will be understood that if a traveling paper carriage is desired one may be employed as illustrated in the Rinsche Patent No. 1,580,534.

Platen mounting arm 25 printing position when the platen is in printing position, the passby pawl 39 is out of the path of the cam 40 as shown in Fig. 1. Thus, during cycles of operation of the machine with the platen in printing position, the cam 40 has no eflect on the position taken out and another inserted, the pass-by pawl 39 is moved to the position of Fig. 3 where the engage it during the early part of the next machine cycle, to return the platen to printing position for the next operation. The cam is first rocked clockwise and then returned counterclockwise. During the early part of its clockwise movement, it engages the pass-by pawl 39, as shown in Fig. 3. At that time said pawl is held against turning on its pivot by a limit stop, with the result that the lever 31 is rocked clockwise, which, in turn, pulls the arm 25 clockwise to positively rock the platen to printing position. This action occurs prior to operation of the printing mechanism. After the platen has been moved to printing position, it is latched by the latch 34 engagingo'ver the lug 28.

Record sheet The record or journal sheet J is held about the platen P fora series of operations and is arranged to be line spaced with the platen. The record sheet is shown in Fig. 2 and is inserted from the in the usual manner. r I

The record sheet is thus held in feeding relation about the platen so that it will be line spaced line spaced. Also, as the platen is moved bodily from printing to front-feed position and vice versa, the record sheet moves with it without having its line spaced position disturbed. The record sheet is thus always in position to receive copies of the entries that are made sheets which are inserted from time Front-feed means Provision is made for enabling individual work sheets to be inserted from time to time in front wise into engagement with the platen. Counterclockwise movement is limited by a hook 53 formed integral with one of the roller arms 41 and engaging a stud 54 carried by the upper end of one of the arms 49.

The front-feed throat is opened automatically, in the embodiment shown, at the time the platen position,

sheets to front-fed position a paper table, or chute, 55 (Figs. 1 and 3) is provided which-is secured to extensions of the upper ends H of the stationary frames 56 attached to the machine back plate. This table remains stationary while the platen moves to and from printing and front-feed position. When the platen is in front-feed position and the pressure rolls 45 also hold cause it to be line spaced rotated.

a series of rearwardly projecting stops 60 formed by bending the upper ends of stationary strips 6i rearwardly which latter strips are secured to a rear paper table or plate 59, and may be formed or adjusted to accommodate them to different sized sheets on which the first line of printing appears in different positions.

WO'TYC sheet ejecting means Provision is made for automatically ejecting the work sheets and stacking them in order so that the operator does not need to bother with moving the sheets upon which operations have been performed. a series of resilient strips 62 interspersed between the stationary strips 6| and extending upwardly beyond the stops 66. Means are provided for raising the resilient strips 62 above and beyond the, stops 69 so that the work sheets lying upon the stationary strips will be raised clear of stops 69 and allowed to drop downwardly and rearwardly into a receptacle 63.

The resilient strips are actuated to release the work sheets from stops 60 upon opening of the throat, that is, upon movement of the platen from printing position to front-feed position, by means of a cam edge 6 (Figs. 2 and 3) formed on link 96 which edge engages a stud 65 on pass-by pawl 66 carried by an arm 61 secured to a shaft 68. Shaft 68 also rigidly supports a bail 69 which engages down-turned arms 16 formed on each of the resilient strips 62. From the foregoing it will be seen that as link 36 rises from the position of Fig. 2 when the platen is moved rearwardly to front-feed position, the cam edge 64 will engage pass-by pawl 66 and rock shaft 68 clockwise causing its bail 69 to engage arms 19 on strips 62 and forcing the latter upwardly and rearwardly to disengage the work sheets from stops 69. Upon return movement of link 36 pass-by, pawl 66 will be ineffective to move shaft 68.

Because link 36 moves and returns rather rapidly, means are provided for latching the ejector strips in raised position. For this purpose shaft 68 is provided with an arm 15 to which one end of a link .16 is pivoted, the other end being slidably supported by a stud 11. Intermediate its ends link 16 is provided with a stud I8 adapted toengage and latch crank 19 pivoted on stud I1. The vertical arm of bell crank 19 cooperates with the total key mechanism for release, as will later be explained. It follows that as bail 69 and shaft 68 are rocked clockwise stud l8 on link 16 will engage and latch bail 69 and ejector strips 62 in raised or ejecting position until the bell crank 19 is released. When released, the resilience of strips 62 returns them and bail 69 to normal position.

Total key control As previously explained, the ejecting means is automatically operated through power derived from the operating mechanism of the machine and the sheets are positively ejected clear of the positioning stops, but fall into the receptacle by gravity. Control of the ejecting mechanism in the illustrated embodiment is through the total taking key as will now be explained.

Total key l3 (Fig. 1) is connected by a link 85 to an arm 86 secured to the key locking shaft 91. Link 85 also carries a stud 88 which when the total key is depressed engages'an arm 89 journaled on shaft 81 and connected to anarm 99 carrying a stud 9| normally in position to engage one arm of a two-arm lever 92 pivoted on shaft The ejecting means comprises the horizontal arm of a bell try of a single amount.

92. The other arm of this two-arm lever, which is retained in counterclockwise position by stud 9 I, is connected by a link 93 to a hook 9t pivotally connected to latch 3i. When the total key is depressed arm 89 is rocked counterclockwise thus removing arm 96 and its stud 9i from the upper arm of the two-arm lever 92 permitting a spring 95 to rock the lever clockwise, thus raising link 93 and moving hook 94 into the path of a lug 96 formed on the outer end of an arm 91 carried by the main shaft i2. With the hook in this position, it will be pulled upon the return movement of lug 96 and upon rock latchSl counterclockwise about its pivot 32 and release hook 34 from lug 23 to permit movement of the platen to front-feed position by spring 29. As the lug 96 continues to move, it automatically releases itself from hook 94 and thereby releases latch 34 for return to normal under the urge of spring 33.

Movement of arm 99 and stud 9| sion of the total key also removes the stud from engagement with the vertical arm of bell crank 19 and permits the latter to rotate clockwise and engage stud I8 to retain the resilient strips 62 in raised or ejecting position.

In taking a total, the total key is depressed and the machine given a cycle of operation. The total key is latched down during the major portion of this cycle but is released near the end thereof. When the total key is released, stud 9! on arm 99 returns to its forward position'and rocks the twoarm lever counterclockwise to lower hook 94 out of the engaging position with lug 96 and also rocks bell crank 19 counterclockwise to release the resilient strips 62.

It will be seen from the foregoing that, when the machine is conditioned for the function of total taking, certain parts are conditioned so that,

during the total-taking cycle, and after the printing mechanism has operated, the front-feed throat will ire automatically opened and the work sheet ejected to permit it todrop by gravity into a receptacle. As the totaling operation is completed, the means for arresting a new work sheet in roper position relative to the platen is rendered effective, but the front-feed throat remains open for the receipt of a new work sheet. The operator need only drop a new sheet into position and proceed with the work of entering the next item on/the amount keys. He need not pay any attenupon deprestlon to the condition of the front-feed throat befl Single item key control Machines of this character may be provided with a single item key which is used for entering complete transactions involving only the en- Of course in this kind of transaction, it is necessary to clear the machine so that unless .a special key is provided it is necessary to enter the single item transaction upon the amount key and then take a total to clear the machine even though a single entry only is in the machine. For this purpose the present machine is provided with a single item transaction key, a bar 99 which overlaps the motor bar at the upper end.

[The ejecting means may also be operated under control of this single item motor bar 99 which is used for printing single item bills, thereby elimihating the necessity of depressing the total key 4 2,139,131 and taking totals on single item bills. For this Listing spacing of platen As illustrated on the forms shown in Fig. 6, the platen is given a single line space movement during the listing or entering of items. This movement takes place during the first part of each ma chine operation and before printing takes place.

The line spacing mechanism is shown most clearly in from which it will be seen that the platen shaft 20 carries a gear i20 which engages a gear 525 journaled on a stud i22 projecting from the platen frame Ll Gear 5 2! is rotated for line spacing the platen by means of a pawl 523 pivoted at i251 to the end of a lever l25 pivoted intermediate its ends at l22. Pawl l23 is caused to engage gear ill! by a resilient friction member 26 (Fig. l) which is pivoted on shaft I22 and whose upper end engages a stud on pawl 123. This friction member is retarded frictlonally near its pivot and tends to rotate pawl l23 clockwise about its pivot whenever lever 225 is rotated. Lever i125 has a slotted connection at its lower end with a stud I21 carried by the upper end of a lever E23 pivoted intermediate its ends at 629. Lever l28 carries a roller E30 at its lower end which engages in a cam slot l3l formed in a cam 32?. secured to the main shaft l2. During each machine operation cam N2 is rocked counterclockwise during the forward machine stroke, which rocks lever l28 counterclockwise, thus moving lever I25 clockwise and causing the pawl 323 to engage and rotate gear 12! clockwise, which} in turn, rotates gear H and platen P counterclockwise.

The are through which gear MI is rotated and, accordingly, the line space movement imparted to platen P is determined by a shield l" which underlies pawl Q23 and is carried by the upper end of a lever HI, also pivoted intermediate its ends on stud H2. The lower end of lever I has a slotted engagement with stud "2 carried by the upper end of one arm of a crank 143 pivoted at MS. Crank IE3 is constantly urged clockwise by a spring H4 and its other arm is formed to provide a laterally projecting lug adapted to engage one arm 5 of a latch pivoted at I41 and having an upwardly extending arm 8. The latch is also constantly urged clockwise by a spring I49 so as to normally engage lug I45.

Latch H6 normally engages lug 5 during all listing or item-entering operations so that shield 0 remains in one position during these operations, the position being such that the pawl i2! engages gear i2! at the proper time to rotate platen P a peripheral distance of one line space for each listing operation. In other words, during a forward machine stroke as lever iii is moved clockwise, pawl I23 slides over the top of movement to the platen. after which pawl I23 engages against a fixed stud I50 projecting from frame 2| to limit movement of the pawl and to prevent overthrow of the platen. During the return stroke 01 the machine the parts are rehammers are fired.

Total spacing/of platen Means are also if used, would normally be beneath the bill portion A (not shown) Section B of the figure illustrates a further portion of the journal strip and likewise section 0 illustrates a continuation parent that regardless of the number of items which make up the total. of course, where single items constitute the entire bill. In such instances no total is taken or to cause rotation of the platen through the proper arc prior to total printing, so that the total will always be printed .on the seventh line or at the bottom of the bill. The degree of rotation of gear l2! and of the platen necessary to cause the total to be printed at the bottom of the bill will, of course, vary according to the number of items listed which make up the total. Accordingly, shield 0 must be rotated counterclockwise varying amounts, as determined by the number of listed items. The mechanism for accomplishing this will now be described.

As was previously explained, when the total key [3 is depressed shaft 81 is rocked. This shaft extends across the machine and upon its left end carries an arm III (Figs. 4 and 5). Arm |5| carries a stud I52 upon its lower end which engages the upper arm I of latch 6 when shaft 81 is rocked by depression of the total key. This releases the latch from lug H5 and permits crank release occurs prior to movement of the platen the total key. The amount of movement of crank I43 and shield I40 is controlled by an index plate I60 pivoted at I41 and urged counterclockwise by a spring I6I. The index plate I60 is provided with a series of notches or steps I62 which steps are engaged by lug I45 of crank I43 and limit the clockwise rotation of the latter to determine the movement of lever MI and shield I40. Movement of index plate I60 is controlled by engagement of a stud I63 carried by a lower arm of the index plate with steps I64 formed on the periphery of a cam plate I65 pivoted on shaft I29 and urged clockwise by a spring I66.

Cam I65 is moved a step at a time at each machine operation by means of a pawl I61 pivoted at I68 to the lower end of lever I28 which, it will be recalled, is rocked at each machine operation. Pawl I61 engages teeth I69 cut into the periphery of cam I65 and substantially diametrically opposite to steps I64. positions to which it is moved by pawl I61 by a detent I10 pivoted at I1I to the frame of the machine and having a lug I12 adapted to engage the teeth I69 of the cam, the detent being normally urged clockwise by the springs I44 and I6I, both of which are attached to the detent. Accordingly, at each machine operation cam I65 is moved one step counterclockwise and is retained at each step of movement by detent I10. Index plate I60 is also moved step by step, corresponding to the movements of cam I65 and corresponding to each. machine operation by engagement of stud I63 with the notched edge I64 of thecam.

.Fig. 5 position to limit As illustrated in Fig. 5, cam I65 has been advanced three steps, because of the three listed items, and the index plate I60 has been indexed counterclockwise from the Fig. 4 position to the the movement of crank I43 and, the movement of pawl I23 if latch I46 has released lug I45 and crank were-depressed lever PM is moved clockwise from I46 releases cran the Fig. 5 position.

position of Fig. 5, andlatch I43 and the latter moves to This permits movementof shield I40 a corresponding distance to permit pawl I23 to engage gear I2I at the proper tooth torotate the platen to the seventh line position.

For example, if three items are listed on the bill as illustrated-in section. B of Fig. 6 the cam I65 is moved three steps counterclockwise, which moves the shield I40 sufficiently rearward to enable pawl I23 to move the platen a distance equal to the remaining four line spaces to the seventh line position during the forward stroke of the machine in a totaling operation, and in time to cause the total to be printed at thebottom of the bill or in the seventh line. other hand, if the number of listed items is five, as shown in section C of Fig. 6, cam I65 will be moved five steps counterclockwise andthis will raise the index plate I60 so that the shield I40 will be moved sufficiently rearward'to enable the pawl I23 to move the platen a distance equal to the remaining two line spaces, causing the total again to be printed in theseventh line or at the bottom of the bill. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that providing six lines for item printing and printing the, total in the seventh line is merely one embodiment of theinvention and other spacings may be'provided for as desired by proper design of cam I65 and index plate I60.

After spacing of the platen for'total printing cam I65 must of course be returned to normal Cam I65 is retained in its new I I43 by depression f the total key. In other words, if the total key against the stop 60.

On the e position. For this purpose the throwback cam 25 at the left side of the machine (Figs. 4 and 5), which moves in a clockwise direction from the Fig. 5 position, is provided with a forwardly extending arm I15 which engages a stud I16 projecting from an extension of crank I43 and. rocks the latter counterclockwise and moves its lug I45 away from latch I46. Arm I15 of cam 25 is provided with a stud I11 which engages a rearwardly projecting finger I18 of detent I and releases the latter from the teeth I69 of cam I65. From the foregoing it will be seen that the left cam 25 when rocked clockwise (Fig. 5) to cause an opening of the platen following printing of a total, causes a release of latch I46 and detent I10, thereby permitting restoration of index plate I60 and cam I65. The spacing mechanism is then reconditioned for single line spacing movements with lug I45 reengaged by latch I46..

After the totaling operation has been completed and the work sheet ejected from the carriage, a new work sheet is'lnserted in the carriage and the amount of the first item indexed on the keyboard. After this the motor bar is depressed forv the first item-printing operation, which causes cam 40 (Fig. 1) to move the platen to printing position, which movement is completed just prior to engagement of pawl I23 with gear I2I to line space the platen one line before the item is printed. following the total printing operation is printed one line space below the total on both the work sheet or bill and the journal sheet, if the latter is used. It will be apparent that in the present. machine platen spacing movements are accomplished during the forward machine stroke and before printing occurs in both listing and totaling operations} Operation platen normally is in throwback position. After the record sheet is threaded under the platen from the rear a work sheet is dropped into the This means that the first itemfront-feed throat over table 55, the sheet limiting The necessary keys are depressed for the first entry and the motor bar is depressed to give the machine a cycle of operation. Upon depression of the motor bar the driving shaft I2 is moved clockwise (Fig. 1) and the cam 40 engages passby pawl 39 and rocks lever 31 and arm 25 of the bell crank to move the platen to printing position just prior to engagement of pawl I23 with gear I2I to line space the platen and in time to receive the first printed amount of the transaction. That is, the work sheet is grasped upon the automatic closing of the front-feed throat and the upper end of the sheet is moved to position for receiving the entry. The platen remains latched in printing position and the front-feed throatin closed position during the entry of further items.

When the last entry has been made and it is desired to take and print a total, the total key I3 is depressed. This causes rotation of shaft 81 and automatic positioning of. the shield I40. As the machine is cycled, and before printing occurs, the platen is line spaced the necessary numwhereupon the hook 94 is moved into the path a predetermined time during a machine operof lug 96 on the arm 9! on the main drive shaft ation, a platen, front-feed means for enabling a l2. Upon counterclockwise movement of the work sheet to be front fed relative to said platen, main shaft during the early portion of the return said front-feed means including portions formstroke, and after operation of the printing meching a throat that is movable from a closed to an 9 ient strips di to move to ejecting position to move tioni'ng said machine to perform a predetermined Depression of the total key also releases the tion conditioning means and operated-to cause latch i9 (Fig. 3) so that, afterthe resilient ejectsaid throat to be opened after said printing means ing strips are moved to ejecting position, they has operated during the operation of the ma- 1 will be temporarily held in said position. chine.

. As the main shaft continues in its return 2. A front-feed machine of the class described stroke, the lug 9B automatically releases itself having a printing means normally operating at a from hook 9i, whereupon the latch 34 for the predetermined time during a machine operation,

platen moves back to normal so as to be ready 2. platen, front-feed means for enabling a work 21 25 wise so that pawl 39 is in the path of cam 40, but, urged to open condition means for closing said 25 because of the arrangement of pass-by pawl 19, throat, a latching means for maintaining said said cam has no effective action on lever 37 dur throat in closedvcondition, and means conditioning the return stroke. able by the manipulation of a single member for Near the end of the machine cycle, the total rendering said latching means ineffective and 39 key is released, whereupon it returns to normal. for causing said throat-opening means to autocauses the latch 79- to be released, wherematically open the throat after an operation of upon the resilient ejecting strips return to north p i g m s, w e y. when i 1 9- Inal, thereby rendering the stop 60 effective to ulative member is manipulated and the machine arrest the next sheet. The restoration of the pe ted, the t a Wi l e enedtotal key also causes the hook at to be disabled. A f nt-f d ma hin f h class described 35 Atthe end of the cycle, the platen is in fronthaving a printing means normally operating at feed position, the front-feed throat is open, and a predetermined time during ma P6 the stop 66 is effective. ation, a platen, front-feed means for enabling a The operator can then insert a new sheet, de- Work sheet to be front fed relative to said platen,

40 press the amount keys, and then depress the said front-feed means including portions forming motor bar. As the machine starts to cycle, the a throat that is movable from a closed to an 40 cam 40 (Fig 1) engages pawl 39 and rocks lever open-throat condition and vice versa, said throat 3i clockwise to pull the platen to printing posibeing urged to open condition, a latching means tion and to close the front-feed throat, the parts for latching said throat in closed condition total being latched in said position bythe latch 34. taking control means, and means governed by 45 5O seventh line; the total is printed; the platen is ing operation. thrown back and the front-feed throat opened; 4. In a calculating machine adapted to acthe ejecting means operates to eject the sheet; cumulate items and to be conditioned to perthe machine in condition to automatically close ing position relative to said platen, means nor- 55 item transaction key or bar will cause the maating automatically, when said machine is conamounts on the keyboard, depress the motor bar series of items that is entered. 86 1 and, when necessary, depress the total key. 5. In a calculating machine adapted to as- It will be understood that the construction umulate items and to take and print the totals that variations may be made in it without deholding a work sheet in printing position relative 7 1. A front-feed machine of the class described control means for conditioning the machine for having a printing means normally operating at total taking, and means operating automatically, 76

B'GAHu when said machine is conditioned for total taking and operated, to control the degree of movement of said line spacing means to line space said work sheet to a predetermined position to thereby cause the total to be printed in the same place on each work sheet irrespective of the number of items in the series of items whose total is taken.

6. A calculating machine of the class described capable of listing amounts and accumulating and printing totals thereof, and having amount keys, a printing means, a total key for controlling total taking and printing operations, a rotatable platen, sheet holding means for positioning a work sheet in printing position relative to said platen while the sheet receives printing impressions from said printing means along the printing line, a pawl for line spacing said platen, means for operating said pawl to cause line spacing of the platen at each machine operation, and means controlled by said total key for varying the effect of said pawl to cause said platen to be rotated to a predetermined position prior to printing a total, said latter means also being controlled in accordance with the line space position of said platen prior to total taking.

7. A calculating machine of the class described capable of listing amounts and accumulating and printing totals thereof, and having amount keys, a printing means, a total key for controlling total taking and printing operations, a rotatable platen, sheet holding means for positioning a Work sheet in printing position relative to said platen while the sheet receives printing impressions from said printing means along the printing line, means for line spacing said platen, means for operating said line spacing means to cause line spacing of the platen at each machine operation, and means controlled by said total key for actuating said line spacing means to rotate said platen to a predetermined position prior to printing a total, said latter means also being controlled in accordance with the line space position of said platen prior to total taking.

8. A calculating machine of the class described capable of listing amounts and accumulating and printing totals thereof, and having amount keys, a printing means, a total key for controlling total taking operations, a rotatable platen movable bodily from a printing position relative to said printing means to an out-of-printing position and vice versa, sheet holding means for positioning a work sheet in printing position relative to said platen while it receives printing impressions from said printing means along the printing line, means controlled by said total key for moving said platen from one position to the other, means for line spacing said platen, means for operating said line spacing means to cause line spacing of said platen at each machine operation, and means controlled by said total key and operable prior to bodily movement of said platen for causing rotation of said platen to a predetermined position prior to printing a total, said latter means also being controlled in accordance with the line space position of said platen prior to total taking.

9. A calculating machine of the class described capable of listing amounts and accumulating and printing totals thereof, and having amount keys, a printing means, a total key for controlling total taking operations, a rotatable platen movable bodily from a printing position relative tosaid printing means to an out-of-printing position and vice versa, sheet holding means for positioning a work sheet in printing position relative to said platen while it receives printing impressions from said printing means along the printing line, means controlled by said total key for moving said platen from one position to the other, means for line spacing said platen, means for operating said line spacing means to cause line spacing of said platen at each machine operation, means controlled by said total key and operable prior to bodily movement of said platen for causing rotation of said platen to a predetermined position prior to printing a total, and means for controlling the degree of movement of said latter means in accordance with the number of amounts listed prior to total taking.

10, In a calculating machine adapted to accumulate items and to take and print the totals thereof, printing means, a platen, front-feed means for enabling a. work sheet to be front fed relative to said platen and for holding said sheet in front-fed position for operations of said printing means, said front-feed means including portions forming a front-feed throat movable from a closed to an open-throat condition and vice versa, means normally operating to line space said work sheet a predetermined distance for each item entering operation, total taking means for conditioning the machine for total taking, means governed by said total taking conditioning means operating automatically, when said machine is conditioned for total taking and operated, to line space said work sheet to a predetermined position to thereby cause the total to be printed in the same place on each work sheet irrespective of the number of items that have been entered in the series of items whose total is taken, and, after the total is printed, to open said throat, and a single item means operable to condition said machine for an operation in which said threat is opened without line spacing said work sheet.

11. A front-feed machine of the class described having a printing means, a platen, front-feed means for enabling a work sheet to be front fed relative to said platen and for hold ng said sheet in front-fed position for an operation of said printing means, said front-feed means including portions forming a throat that is movable from a closed to an open-throat condition and vice versa, sheet arresting means operable, when a sheet is inserted in said throat while it is open, to arrest said sheet in a predetermined position relative to said platen, means for closing said throat, and means operable to open said throat, to render said arresting means ineifective to arrest said sheet to thereby enable said sheet to move out of said throat past said arresting means, and to thereafter cause said arresting means to be again rendered effective to arrest a new sheet that may be inserted in said open throat.

12. A front-feed machine of the class described having a printing means, a platen. front-feed means for enabling a work sheet to be front fed relative to said platen and for holding said sheet in front-fed position for operation of said printing means, said front-feed means including portions forming a throat that is movable from a closed to an open-throat condition and vice versa, means operable, when a sheet is inserted to a substantially vertical position in said throat while it is open, to support said sheet in a predetermined position relative to said platen, means for closing said throat to grip said inserted sheet for a printing operation, and means operable to open said throat to release said sheet, to render said supporting means ineffective to support said sheet to thereby enable the sheet to drop out of said throat, and to thereafter cause said supporting means to be again rendered efiective to support a new sheet.

13. A front-feed machine of the class described having a printing means, a platen, front-feed means for guiding a work sheet into a substantially vertical position on the front-feed side of said platen, said front-feed means including portions forming a front-feed throat that may be moved from closed to open-throat condition and vice versa, sheet-supporting means for arresting an inserted work sheet in proper line space position relative to said printing means when said sheet is inserted into said open throat and for supporting said sheet in substantially vertical position in said open throat, means for closing said throat to cause said front-feed means to grip said inserted sheet prior to an operation of said printing means, means for subsequently opening said throat, sheet ejecting means for moving said inserted work sheet relative to said supporting means, and means operating automatically, as said front-feed means is moved to open-throat condition, to cause said ejecting means to move said sheet clear of said supporting means to enable said sheet to drop out of said open throat and away from said platen by gravity.

14. A front-feed machine of the class described having printing means, a platen, means for guiding a work sheet into a substantially vertical position on the front-feed side of said platen, means for engaging a front-fed work sheet above and below the printing line of said platen to hold said sheet about said platen for a printing operation of said printing means, said platen and said sheet engaging means being mounted to enable a relative movement to occur between them to hold said sheet while printing occurs and to subsequently release said sheet for removal, sheet-supporting means for arresting said front-fed sheet in proper line space position when it is guided to front-fed position and for supporting it in said position when not engaged by said engaging means, and sheet ejecting means operating automatically, when a relative movement is caused between said platen and sheet engaging means to release said sheet, for moving said sheet relative to its supporting means to thereby free said sheet to enable it to move away from said platen by gravity.

15. A front-feed machine of the class described having a printing means, a platen movable' from a printing position relative to said printing means to a front-feed position and vice versa, front-feed means for enabling a work sheet to be front fed relative to said platen, said frontfeed means including portions forming a throat that is movable from a closed to an open-throat condition and vice versa, sheet arresting means operable, when a sheet is inserted in said throat while it is open, to arrest said sheet in a predetermined position relative to said platen, means for moving said platen to printing position and closing said throat, and means operable to move said platen to front-feed position, to open said throat, to render said arresting means ineffective to arrest said sheet to thereby enable said sheet to move out of said throat past said arresting means, and to thereafter cause said arresting means to'again be effective to arrest a new sheet that may be inserted in said open throat.

16. A front-feed machine of the class described having a printing means, a platen movable bodily from a printing position relative to said printing means to an out-of-printing position and vice versa, means for moving said platen from one position to the other, means for guiding a work sheet into a substantially vertical position in front of said platen, sheet supporting means for arresting said inserted work sheet in proper line space position relative to said printing means and for supporting said sheet in said position while said platen is out of printing position, sheet-engaging means for holding said sheet in position for a printing operation when said platen is moved to printing position and for subsequently releasing it, and means operating automatically, as said sheet is released, for moving said sheet relative to said supporting means to thereby free it to enable it to drop by gravity away from said platen.

17. A front-feed machine of the class described having printing means, a platen, means for holding a record sheet about said platen, front-feed means for enabling a work sheet to be front fed to a substantially vertical position relative to said platen, said front-feed means including portions forming a front-feed throat movable from an open to a closed-throat condition and vice versa, sheet-supporting means for arresting said sheet in proper line-space position relative to said printing means and for supporting it in said position while said throat is open, a work sheet ejecting means normally tending to move said sheet clear of said supporting means but latched against such movement, power-actuated means operable to control the opening of said frontfeed throat and the release of said ejecting means whereby said work sheet is moved clear of said supporting means to enable it to drop out of said throat and away from said platen while leaving the record sheet about said platen, and power operated means for closing said throat and conditioning said throat-opening and ejecting means for subsequent operation.

18. A front-feed machine of the class described having means for giving it cycles of operation, printing means, a platen, means for holding a record sheet about said platen, front-feed means for enabling a work sheet to be front fed to a substantially vertical position relative to said platen, said front-feed means including portions forming a front-feed throat movable from an open to a closed-throat condition and vice versa, sheet-supporting means for arresting and supporting an inserted sheet in proper linespace position relative to said printing means while said throat is open, work sheet ejecting means for moving said work sheet relative to said supporting means, and power means operating automatically during a machine cycle to open said throat and to cause said ejecting means to move said work sheet free of said supporting means to thereby enable said sheet to fall clear of said platen while said record sheet remains about said platen.

19. A front-feed machine of the class described having means for giving it cycles of operation, printing means operated at a predetermined time during a machine cycle, a platen, means for holding a record sheet about said platen, frontfeed means for enabling a work sheet to be front fed to a substantially vertical position relative to said platen, said front-feed means including portions forming a throat that is movable from an open to a closed-throat condition and vice versa, sheet-supporting means for arresting the front-fed work sheet in proper line-space position relative to said platen and for supporting said sheet in said position while said throat is operated, to cause said throat to be opened and said ejecting means to move said work sheet clear of said supporting means whereby said sheet may drop out of said open throat and clear of said platen while said record sheet remains about said platen.

20. A front-feed machine of the class described having a printing means, a platen, front-feed means for enabling a work sheet to be front fed .relative to said platen and for holding said'sheet in front-fed position for printing operations, said front-feed means including portions forming a throat that is movable from a closed to an openthroat condition and vice versa, a normally inactive sheet-ejecting means, a manipulative member for conditioning said machine for a predetermined type of operation, means for opening said throat, and means governed by said manipulative member for rendering said ejecting means active when said throat is opened whereby said sheet will be automatically ejected when said throat is opened during said predetermined type of operation of said machine.

21. A front-feed machine of the class described having a printing means, a platen, front-feed means for enabling a work sheet to be front fed relative to said platen and for holding said sheet in front-fed position for printing operations, said front-feed means including portions forming a throat that is movable from a closed to an openthroat condition and vice versa, a normally inactive sheet-ejecting means, functioning conditiom ing means for conditioning said machine for a predetermined function, means for opening said throat, and means governed by said functioning conditioning means for rendering said ejecting means active when said throat is opened to thereby cause said sheet to be ejected when said throat is opened after said machine is operated to perform the function determined by said functioning conditioning means.

22. A front-feed machine of the class described having a printing means, a platen, front-feed means for enabling a work sheet to be front fed relative to said platen and for holding said sheet in front-fed position for printing operations, said front-feed means including portions forming a' throat that is movable from a closed to an openthroat condition and vice versa, normally inactive sheet-ejecting means, normally inactive means for opening said throat, and total taking means operable to render said ejecting means effective and to condition said throat opening means for operation whereby, during a total taking operation, said throat will be opened after operation of said printing means and the work sheet automatically ejected.

23. A front-feed machine of the class described having means for giving the cycles of operation, function keys for conditioning said machine for different functions, printing means, a platen, means for holding a record sheet about said platen, front-feed means for enabling a work sheet to be front-fed to a substantially vertical position relative to said platen, said front-feed means including portions movable from an open to a closed-throat condition and vice versa, sheet-supporting means for arresting said frontsition and said throat fed work sheet in proper line=space position relative to said printing mechanism and for supporting said sheet in said position while said throat is open, work sheet ejecting means for moving said sheet relative to said supporting means, power means operable automatically during a cycle of machine operation to open said throat and cause said ejecting means to move said work sheet relative to said supporting means to enable said sheet to fall out of said open throat and clear of said platen, and connections from one of said function keys for controlling said power means to thereby selectively choose the cycle during which saidejecting operation shall take place.

24. A front-feed machine of the class described having a printing means, a platen, front-feed means for enabling a work sheet to be front fed relative to said platen and for holding said sheet in front-fed position .for printing operations, said front-feed means including portions forming a throat that is movable from a closed to an open-throat condition and vice versa, normally inactive sheet-ejecting means, normally inactive means for opening said throat, total taking means operable to render said ejecting means effective and to condition said throat opening means for operation whereby during a total taking operation said throat will be opened after operation of said printing means and the work sheet automatically ejected, and a single item control means operable to cause said throat to be opened and the work sheet automatically ejected after the entry of a single item in said machine.

25. A front-feed machine of the class described total taking means operable to render saidejecting means active and to condition certain elements of said machine to cause said latching means to be released after the printing means has operated during a total taking operation whereby the throat will be opened and the work sheet automatically ejected, and a normally inactive throat closing means movable, whenthe throat is opened, to aposition such that it will be operated during the succeeding machine cycle to close said throat.

' 26. A front-feed machine of the class described having a printing means, a platen movable from a printing position relative to said printing means to a front-feed position and vice versa, feed rolls cooperating with said platen to form a frontfeed throat, said teed rolls being movable bodily with said platen, and said platen and feed rolls being relatively movable to open and close said throat, said platen being urged to front-feed pcto open position, latching means for holding said platen in. printing position and said throat in closed condition, a normally inactive means for releasing said latching means, a normally inactive sheet=ejecting means, total taking means operable to render said sheetejecting means active and to condition certain elements of said machine to cause said latching said platen is moved to front-teed position to a. position such that, during the succeeding machine cycle, the platen will be returned to printing position and the throat closed prlor to opera tlon o! the printing means.

ROBERT L. 

